Her grand entrance
It was a beautiful Winter day on the 23rd of February 1959, when a blushing, bouncing baby girl was born to the proud parents of Mary Alice Steed and Rudolph George Evans onthe island New Providence, Bahamas. Willamae Dorothy Evans she was named andaffectionately “Willa” was the name she carried throughout her lifetime. Shewas the pride of this union as the first born to it and the blessed number 5 toher mother. Her warm, kind personality engulfed everyone that she met.
The rearingand blossoming of a Precious Flower
At the tenderage of five (5) Willamae attended the William Gordon Primary School where sheattained her early childhood education and later transitioned into the C HReeves Jr. High School. She then attended R M Baily Senior High school whereshe graduated with her High school Diploma and attained her GCE’s at the age of 17. Willamaewas always very observant and by this taught herself how to sew by watching hermother sew clothes for her siblings now and again. She once said “When mommysaw the first dress that I made she told me that she would never sew for meagain”. Willamae was sewing ever since.
A timeto Labor
Willame wasvery good with her hands. At an early age she became an excellent, talented andrespected seamstress. She first started off sewing suits for men and laterventured into making astounding gowns for woman all across the country. Hertalents stretched from making prom dresses, wedding gowns, beautiful dressesfor little girls and anything that she saw she was able to cut and sew fromscratch. She was truly an artist and made her mark as one of the bestseamstress in New Providence. Willamae worked for companies such as Sun Tee,Chippy, Island Flourist, Jazenyas and above all was the proprietor of Willa’sDressmaking. While living in Grand Bahama in her early 20’s Willamae made aname for herself and by the time that she had moved back to Nassau she was a well-establishedseamstress. She knew her craft, was a perfectionist and mastered it indefinitely!
A timefor Love and Service.
Willame becamea loving wife and a dedicated mother to her two beautiful children. She birthedElkia Zandria at the age of 25 and Trevon Lloyd at the age of 37. She alwayssaid that she had a pigeon pair and anyone that knew her knew about herchildren because she talked about them to everyone that she encountered. Shenurtured and reared them to the best of her ability and always prayed that theLord would spare her life until her children were old enough to take care ofthemselves. Her wish was granted.
Willa lovedthe Lord with all of her heart. She gaveher life to the Lord at a tender age and vowed to dedicate her being to that ofservice. Willamae was an ordained Evangelist Missionary, served as theHospitality President of the New Redeemed Church of God in Christ (2013-2016),and worked very closely to the Jurisdiction Supervisor – Mother JohnnieHarrison ; as her adjutant for over 7 yearsuntil the time of her death. She served diligently and faithfully.
Willamae was anempath and possessed a kindred spirit. This was displayed by the countlesspeople that she selflessly gave of herself and time over the years. She had alove and compassion for the sick and elderly. She gave her last, time and space to help care for them with no expectation of anythingin return. She was also a mother to so many other than her two (2) biologicalchildren. She opened her home to many and treated them as if they were her own.
A Timefor Family
Willa loved spending time with family. She wasconsidered the “Life of the party”! Willa was always family oriented and lovedher siblings, her nieces, nephews and her cousins (who were just like hersiblings) very much. They grew up very close and remained tightly connectedthroughout the years. She spent her mornings on the phone with her belovedsister Margaret as they would get into their daily disagreements, row brieflyand then two minutes later act as if the argument never happened. Her sisterCecilia was her go to lady as she entrusted her with most of her personal itemsand trusted her dearly. Her brother Lloyd was her good brother left. Sheanticipated him screaming “Villid” every time he passed the house and coming tocheck on her from time to time. She loved them with all of her heart. She wasalways the supportive aunty. The one that showed up to all the birthdayparties, all the graduations, all the weddings and the first one her nieces wouldcall when they had a personal issue and wanted someone to talk to. She was thecousin that made everyone laugh, never complained and always saw the brightside of things.
A time toRest
In the monthof February 2023, Willamae became suddenly ill. She was diagnosed withcongestive heart failure and diabetes. The following months proved to be thatof steadfast prayer, faith, love and sacrifice from her and her family. Willamae endured through waves of emotionsand feelings but ultimately never stopped trusting and worshiping her God. OnOctober 6th, 2023 she wasadmitted to The Princess Margaret Hospital to undergo a simple procedure whereshe remained until the day of transition. She was surrounded by her family justhours before she died. Willame was happy and Jovial! She assured them that shewas in no pain and that she would be home by Wednesday. Little did they knowthat she was referring to her heavenly home. After a joyful meeting and 3 hoursfilled with jokes and laughter Willamae said goodbye to her loved ones for thelast time. She closed her eyes and went peacefully to sleep. Willamae made herquiet and peaceful transition from the realm of mortal to immortality. “ When Idie I want to die peacefully in my sleep”. This was her prayer to God. Onceagain he granted her hearts desire.
She is survived by her 1 Daughter:Elkia Zandria Coakley; 1 Son: Marine Mechanic Trevon Lloyd Lightbourne; 1Adopted Son: Petty Officer Orentress Smith; 4 Grandchildren: LamontGibson, Bella Pratt, Hea’ven Lightbourne and Ta’lea Lightbourne; 6 Sisters:Margaret Forbes, Cecelia Davis, Estherleta Murray, Sheila Marshall, DorindaWalker and Esther Bridgewater; 2 Brothers: Lloyd Steed and George Evans;1 Uncle: Joseph Evans M.D; 3Brothers in law: Allen Forbes Sr., Leon Davis and Olrice Murray; 2Sisters in law: Merita Steed and Dianne L. Coverley; Nieces and Nephews:Rochelle Farrington, Rokeshia Sands, Allen Forbes, Kimberley Moss, Deon andChristina Davis, Leneah Woodside, Serena, Lloydia and Aaron Steed, Lloyd Stubbs, Police Sergeant Ovando Kemp, Shaniqua, Monado, Iesha, Damian, Danetra, Derante, Damian, Denardo, Kevin and De’Skeika Coverley, Deleya Thompson, Shere Farquharson, Francis and Novaletta Marshall, Erica, Diana,Sherwaine, Shewon, Sherad and Shevante Evans, and Iesha Lightbourn; NumerousGrandnieces and Grandnephews; A host of other relatives and friends including:Lorna Davis, Oliver, Ron and Louis Missick, Hansel, Phillip and ShenDavis, Vernon Williams, Olivette,Sharmaine, Attarah, Monique, Jai, Artistol, Denny, Jamie, Tino, Covan, Renaldo,Loren Forbes, Darvin Strachan, Ali, Tyler, Tabian, Sanai, Aavery, Petty Officer Jorvan Sands, Keith Farrington,Kelly Forbes, Ethel Evans R. Ph, The descendants of the Evans family, Thedescendants of the Steed family, COGIC Bahamas, Five Porches Apostolic Center,close friends from New Providence and Grand Bahama, Victoria Gibson, Mother Johnsonand Stephanie (Grand Bahama).
